Top 8 TV shows set in North Carolina

Discover which beloved TV series put North Carolina on the map, from small-town charm to coastal drama, in this ranking of top shows.

From small-town sheriffs to moody teen dramas, North Carolina has served as the backdrop for some of television’s most memorable series. While Hollywood often captures our state’s stunning locations—from the misty Blue Ridge mountains to the wave-swept Outer Banks—it’s the rich tapestry of Carolina characters and stories that truly shine on screen. Even when filming happens elsewhere, creators keep returning to the Tar Heel State as a setting, drawn to our unique blend of Southern charm, coastal adventure, and metropolitan energy. These are the shows that capture North Carolina’s spirit best.

“The Andy Griffith Show”: A timeless classic

Leading the pack is “The Andy Griffith Show,” a series that’s become synonymous with North Carolina culture. The beloved comedy, which aired from 1960 to 1968, was inspired by creator and star Andy Griffith’s hometown of Mount Airy. The fictional Mayberry captured the essence of small-town North Carolina life, with references to real locations like “Mount Pilot” (based on Pilot Mountain) scattered throughout its 249 episodes. Today, Mount Airy embraces its connection to the show, with tourism centered around its Mayberry heritage, and the series continues to charm viewers in syndication decades after its final episode aired.

“Eastbound & Down”: Shelby’s comeback kid

Set in Shelby, North Carolina, “Eastbound & Down” brought HBO audiences to Cleveland County for four seasons from 2009 to 2013. The series follows Kenny Powers, a washed-up major league baseball pitcher who returns to his hometown to teach physical education at his former middle school. The show’s choice of Shelby as its setting pays homage to North Carolina’s rich baseball heritage, with the city being home to the American Legion World Series and numerous major league players throughout history.

“The Carmichael Show”: Queen City comedy

“The Carmichael Show” brought authentic Charlotte flavor to NBC for three seasons. Creator and star Jerrod Carmichael, a Winston-Salem native, set his family sitcom in Charlotte, reflecting his North Carolina roots. Though filmed in Los Angeles, the show referenced Queen City landmarks and culture, tackling contemporary issues through the lens of a Charlotte family. The series marked a significant moment for North Carolina representation, with a major network sitcom setting its story in the state’s largest city rather than a more typical TV show setting like New York or Los Angeles.

“My Brother and Me”: Pioneering youth television

 

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Breaking new ground in the mid-1990s, “My Brother and Me” became one of the first children’s shows explicitly set in North Carolina. The Nickelodeon series centered on the Parker family living on Charlotte’s west side, offering young viewers an authentic look at African American family life in the Queen City. The show made history not just for its Charlotte setting but for being one of the first Nickelodeon series to feature a predominantly African American cast, paving the way for more diverse representation in children’s television.

“Delilah”: Legal drama comes to Charlotte

OWN’s “Delilah” brought serious legal action to Charlotte’s streets during its eight-episode run in 2021. The show centered on a Charlotte attorney fighting for social justice, with storylines that reflected real issues facing North Carolina’s largest city. The series showcased Charlotte’s evolution into a major urban center, featuring the city’s distinctive skyline and incorporating elements of the region’s legal community, though its run was brief.

“American Horror Story” goes to the Lost Colony

The sixth season of “American Horror Story” dove deep into one of North Carolina’s most enduring mysteries—the disappearance of the Lost Colony of Roanoke. While taking creative liberties with the historical events, the series drew from the real-life unsolved disappearance of 115 English settlers from Roanoke Island between 1587 and 1590. The show merged this piece of North Carolina’s colonial history with contemporary horror elements, bringing national attention to one of our state’s most intriguing historical mysteries.

Photo courtesy of James Willamor/Flickr.

“Outer Banks”: Adventure on the Carolina coast

Netflix’s “Outer Banks” has turned international attention to North Carolina’s barrier islands, even though it’s primarily filmed in South Carolina. Currently in its third season, the series captures the socioeconomic dynamics of coastal Carolina life through its “Kooks” and “Pogues” class distinction. While locals have pointed out geographical inconsistencies—like the show’s rocky coastline and impossibly short travel times between locations—the series has nonetheless boosted interest in North Carolina’s coastal culture and history.

“One Tree Hill”: Drama in the Port City

For nine seasons, “One Tree Hill” made its home in the fictional North Carolina town of Tree Hill, while filming in and around Wilmington. The series took full advantage of its setting, incorporating local landmarks like the Cape Fear River, downtown Wilmington, and Wrightsville Beach into its storylines. The show’s success helped cement Wilmington’s reputation as “Hollywood East,” contributing to the region’s film industry growth. Today, fans still make pilgrimages to Wilmington to visit filming locations, including the real-life bridge from the show’s opening credits and the river court where many pivotal scenes were filmed.

North Carolina’s small screen legacy

These series demonstrate North Carolina’s enduring appeal as a television setting, each capturing a different aspect of our state’s character. From Mayberry’s small-town charm to Tree Hill’s drama-filled streets, from Charlotte’s urban energy to the mysterious shores of the Outer Banks, these shows have helped shape how audiences around the world view North Carolina. Whether drawing from our state’s rich history, showcasing our modern cities, or highlighting our coastal beauty, these productions have cemented the Tar Heel State’s place in television history.

This article was created with the assistance of AI and edited by the Cardinal & Pine team. It first appeared on Good Info News Wire and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.

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